Spray nozzle



Nov. 5, 1935. Hl H, HOWELL 2,020,144

SPRAY NOZ ZLE Filed Sept. 8, 1955 i Z0 44 46 /3 A.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRAY NozzL l Harry H. Howell, Kansas city, Mo.

Application september s, 193s, serial N11-.688,589

6 Claims.

My invention relates to spray nozzles, and more particularly to a spray nozzle that is adapted to make a very fine spray of liquid, such as water, that is so nely divided as to have substantially the characteristics of a smoke, rather than a stream or streams of water, or other liquid, having any particular direction of projections.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a nozzle of the above mentioned character, which can be adjusted so as to produce any degree of flneness of spray between that above re= ferred to as being a cloud-like or smoke-like spray to a very coarse spray, or even substantially a fine stream.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a nozzle of the above mentioned character, which is self cleaning, so as to prevent any possibility of clogging thereof, thus preventing any stoppage of the spray4 or any irregularity or unevenness thereof due to a clogging or partial clogging of the orifice.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a spray nozzle of the above mentioned char acter, which has means for adjusting the neness of the spray and means for controlling the pressure of the water within the nozzle to thus further control the character of the spray in accordance with such water pressure or other liquid pres-y sure, and to provide means for adjusting said pressure controlling means so that any desired fluid pressure within the nozzle may be obtained.

It is still another purpose of my invention to provide a nozzle with a needle-like or pin-like member entering an orifice so as to slidably t within the same, but not so tightly thatla 'ne spray of liquid cannot escape between the pin or needle-like member and the wall of the orice surrounding the same, said pin or needle-like member moving into the orifice when the flow of liquid to the nozzle is interrupted, so as to clean the same of any obstructions that may ac-K cumulate thereinand keep the same in a clean condition, and being automatically movable into a position to produce the form of spray desired, either Within the orifice or adjacent the orice within thel nozzle, upon turning on the supply of liquid to the nozzle. v

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the description of the drawing proceeds. I desire to have it understood, however, that I do not intend to limit myself to the particular details shown or described, except as dened in the claims. 1

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved nozzle.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, shown on an enlarged scale, showing the pin or needle-like member projecting into the orifice. 5

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the pin or needle-like member withdrawn from the orifice, or with the parts in the position in which the nozzle is adjusted for a relatively coarse spray, and the same is in the posi- 10 tion it assumes when the liquid to be sprayed is being supplied under pressure thereto.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of 15 Fig. l, on an enlarged scale corresponding to that used in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the pin carrying 20 guide vmember and adjoining parts.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, of a modification, and

Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly broken away of the pin carrying means provided in a further 25 modification. Y

Referring in detail to the drawing, my improved spray nozzle is provided with a chambered body portion IIJ, which has a longitudinal bore I I therein, of uniform diameter from the shoulder 30 I2 at the forward end of the nozzle to the internally threaded portion I3 at the rear of the nozzle. The body portion Ill further has a tubular projection I4 extending laterally therefrom, which is externally threaded at I5, which has a passage 35 I6 therein leading into the chamber or bore Il. The forward end of the nozzle is provided with a closed wall portion except for the orifice Il of small diameter, and the interior of the body portion Ill adjacent theV orifice is provided with a 40 dome'like rounded wall portion I8 extending from the shoulder`- I2 to. the orice II.. The eX- terior of the nozzle at the spraying end or forward endis provided with a substantially flat wall I9, through which the orice I'I extends, there 45 beingno projections, obstructions or other appurtenances of any kind provided on the exterior of the nozzle that will in any way interfere with the free spraying of the liquid from the orice II and against which the liquid might be pro- 50 jected, which might cause a dripping from the nozzle.

Mounted within the bodyportion Il! in the bore I I and slidably tting therein, is a piston or head 20, which has a screw threaded stem i2l thereon, 55

with which a nut 22 engages that is adapted to hold the cupped washer 23, of leather or similar flexible material, in snug engagement with the member 20, a metallic washer 24 being preferably 5 provided between the cupped washer and the nut 22. The member 20 is preferably slightly rounded so as to have a concave portion at 25 to curve the cupped washer 23 into its cup-like shape, the cupped washer being provided for the purpose of providing a substantially liquid tight joint between the piston Vorliead member 20 provided within the body portion I0, and the wall oi the bore II. The stem 2| is made integral with the head or piston 20 and the piston 23 may be slightly rounded at the corner 26, if desired.

The stem 2| is threaded throughout its length and screw-threadedly receives the guide member 21 thereon, said guide member having a relatively large internally threaded opening 28 therein to receive the stem 2|, and having a small opening 29 therein coaxial with the opening 28 and connected therewith by means of a slightly flaring bore 3l), which is adapted to receive the head portion 3| provided on a pin or needle-like mem- VAber 32. It will be noted, that, if the guide member 21 is tightened down on the stem 2| with the needle-like member 32 in place, the needle-like member 32 will be xed in position in the guide member 21 in a central position and inV alignment 30 with the orice I1.

The guide member 21 fits slidably in the bore and is adapted to engage the abutment I2 when in its forwardmost position, at which time the pin 32 is projected into the orifice I1 and exl tends almost entirely through the same. The

member 21 is shown more in detail in Fig. '7, having `a central hub portion and wings or ribs 33 that project therefrom and have curved outer faces 34 conforming to the curvature of the bore 'I I. It will be obvious that there are passages between the ribs 33, through which the liquid can pass to reach the orifice |1, and that the member 21 divides the chamber within the body portion I0 into two portions, one between the member 21 4,5 and the orice I1, and the other'between the member 21 and the piston or head 20, the two chambers being in communicationthrough the passages provided between the ribs 33 of the member 21 and the wall portion of the bore I I.

A plug 35 is provided, which has an externally threaded portion 36 engaging with the threaded portion I3 of the body portion I0, said plug having a polygonal head portion 31 thereon, by means of which the same can be turned. The

body portion I0 is also provided with a boss` 38 thereon, through which the screw threaded opening 39 extends that receives the set screw 40 for locking the plug member 35 against rotation in the threaded portion I3 of the member I0.

The plug 35 also has an axial, internally screwthreaded, bore 4| extending entirely therethrough, and an adjustable stop member 42, which is made in the form of an externally screw threaded stem, is adapted to 'be threadedly engaged with the bore 4| and has a knurled knob or head 43 thereon, by means of which the same can be turned to adjust the position of the rear extremity 44 thereof, which is adapted to be engaged by the member 20 to limit movement of the piston 2D in a rearward direction, or in a direction away from the oriced end of the nozzle. c.

Normally the end 44 of the stop member 42 Vis spaced from the head or piston 23 when the pin Y32 is projected into the orifice'H, a seat being provided at 45 for the end`44 of said member 42.

However, the member 42 can be adjusted so as to positively hold the member 2li, and thus the members 2| and 32, in the position shown in Fig. 2, when the nozzle will be adjusted to produce a cloud or smoke-like spray of liquid, which is so 5 :tine that there is no appreciable direction to the flow of the water or other liquid as it leaves the orice I1.

Mounted between the plug member 35 and the head 20 is a coiled compression spring 46, which 10 bears against the head or piston 20 and against the plug 35, tending to force or project the piston, and thus the pin 32 to the left in Fig. 2, or in other words, to project the pin 32 into the orifice I1. The pressure exerted by the spring 46 can be 15 regulated by adjustment of the position of the plug 35, and a pressure compensating means is thus provided, so that the pressure of the liquid 1n the chamber can be regulated relative to the pressure of the liquid entering through the 20 passage I6, so that the piston 20 is moved to the right to open the nozzle, causing the same to spray liquid whenever a predetermined pressure condition exists in the chamber II.

It will be obvious that by adjusting the plug, 25 l this pressure can be kept at a predetermined amount, independent of the pressure of the supply entering through the passage I6. The amount of movement that the pin 32, the piston 23 and the guide member 21 has to the right, whenever 30" j the liquid under pressure is supplied through the passage I6, depends upon the position of the member 42, and thus can be varied if desired to produce the kind of a spray that is wanted, by

means of the pin 32, the orifice I1 and the dome- 35 :l

like wall portion I8 adjacent the orice. The position of the parts, such as the guide member 21 and the pin 32, determine the character of the spray that isv produced. The pressure, of course,

also determines this, but any variations in pres- 40 l sure or any adjustments necessary for different v pressures provided in the source of supply, can be made by adjusting the plug 35. In order to lock the member 42 in adjusted position, a knurled lock-nut 41 is provided on the screw threaded 45 tion of the liquid as it enters this space between 55 the guide member and the orice, and in Fig. 9 a modification of guide member is shown, in which such whirling action of the liquid is produced. The guide member 21 is provided with an internally screw threaded bore for receiving 50 the member 2|, similarly to the member 21, and also has the pin 32 mounted therein in substantially the same manner as previously described, said pin. entering the orice I1. The other parts of the nozzle are substantially the same as pre- 55 n viously described, except for the spiral passage 50 provided in theV member 21', lsaid passage 50 causing the water or other liquid, as it enters the chamber between the member 21 and the oriced end of the nozzle, to be set in rotation to 70 produce a whirling action of said liquid, which, in certain adjustments of the member 32, will produce a different effect on the spray as it leaves -the nozzle than where no such spiral passage is provided. 75

Uli

In the form ofthe invention shown in Fig. 8` the parts are all'made in the same vmanner as in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, and bear the 'same .reference numerals,

except for certain modications of the housing, guide member and piston or head and stem car red thereby, which will be -describedbelow The housing I0' is made in the Vsame manneras previously described, except that the tubularprojec- "tion I4" is internally instead of externally fthreaded. The guide member 21 is made of the same external shape as `the guide member 21, but ts with a drive fit in the bore lI I so as to be seated against the shoulder I2 in xed position. Instead of befing provided with a threadedopening and an internal shoulder, it has the longitudinal bore 53 of uniform diameter therein, Vin which the reduced portion d of the stem I2I is slidably mounted, va stop shoulder 5IV being provided between the main portion of the stem I -I and the reduced porn tion :119. A pin |32 is formed integrally on the extremity of the stem I2I vand enters the openingl I1 functioning in the same manner as the pin 32 previously described. I

The stem I2I has a head or piston'i@ formed integrally thereon, which cooperates with the spring i6 and' adjustable stop Q2 in the same manner as was described as being the case with the head or pistonY 20. The pin I2I is provided with an enlargement 52 adjacent the head |26, which is upset against the washer Eil to clamp said washer 24 and cupped gasket 23 in position on the head IZB. This form of the invention has certain advantages in cheapness of manufacture that make is desirable.

In any form of the invention, after the nozzle is adjusted to produce a ne spray, or any other character of spray that may be desired, except the extremely fine smoke-like spray previously mentioned, the adjustment of the parts is such that, when liquid enters the passage I6, the pressure built up within the bore II will cause the piston 2li or I20 to be projected toward the end 44 of the stop member 42 and cause said piston to assume the position shown in Fig. 3, or the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8, or some similar position, dependent upon the distance that the member 42 is adjusted inwardly or outwardly relative to that shown in Figs. 3 and 8. This causes the stem 2| or I2I and the pin $2 to be moved to the right, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, withdrawing the pin 32 from the orifice I1 and producing a spray of the character described, which flows from the orice I1 without engaging any projection or other deflecting means that might serve as an obstruction to the liquid sprayed from the oriiice I1, and thus preventing any drip from the nozzle, such as frequently occurs Where there are obstacles or obstructions o-f some kind, such as deflectors, utilized externally of the nozzle in alignment with the orice for the purpose of producing a spray. This makes it possible to use the applicants nozzle in a horizontal position for producing a line spray without getting any drip, and makes it unnecessary to provide any` holders or shields or drip catching devices of any character whatsoever in conjunction therewith.

What I claim isz- 1. In a nozzle of the character described a body portion having a longitudinal bore therein and a spray orice in one end thereof, said orice being free of any obstruction externally thereof, means slidably mounted in said bore comprising a guide member having a head spaced therefrom, a pin carried by said guide member adapted to enter said orice and projectasubstantially therethrough' means for limiting the'movement of said slidable means'toward said -orice to space said guide member from said orifice and adjustable means for limiting the movement of said slidable means away Vfrom said orifice, said body portion having an inlet between said orifice and slidably mountedmember, lsaid head being lprovided with gasket means to provide a substantially fluid-tight joint between the same and the wall of said bore.

2. In a nozzle Yof the character described, a

body portion having a longitudinal bore of substantially kuniform diameter therein and a spray orice in one end thereof,'means slidably mounted in said bore, 'comprising a pair of spacedV Vlimiting the movement of said pin away from said oriiice comprising an adjustable stop -engaged by said other member, resilient means engaging said other member for moving said pin into said orice, and a cupped gasket mounted on said other member providing a fluid-tight joint between said other member and said bore, passages being provided between said bore and said pin carrying member, said body portion having an inlet between said pair of spaced members.

3. In a nozzle of the character described a body portion having a bore of substantially uniform diameter therein and having a minute discharge orifice at one end of said body portion, a stop shoulder in said bore spaced from said orifice, a Vguide member slidably mounted in said bore, a pin-like member carried by said guide member` said pin-like member projecting substantially centrally from said guide member and slidably fitting in said oriiice, a piston slidably mounted in said bore, elongated means of reduced diameter connecting said guide member and said piston to provide an elongated chamber in lsaid bore between said guide member and piston, means for projecting said pin-like mern ber into said orifice to clear the same of obstructions, means for admitting fluid to said bore between said piston and guide member for moving said pin-like member out of said orice and adjustable means for limiting the movement of said pin-like member away from said orifice, said guide member engaging said stop shoulder to limit the movement of said pin-like member into said orice.

4. In a nozzle of the character described a body portion having a bore of substantially uniform diameter therein and having a minute discharge orifice at one end of said body portion, a stop shoulder in said bore spaced from said orice, a guide member slidably mounted in saidv bore, a pin-like member carried by said guide bore between said piston and guide member for moving said pin-like member outof said orice and adjustable means for limiting the movement of said pin-like member away from said orifice, said guide member engaging said stop shoulder to limit the movement of said pin-like member into said orifice.

5. In a nozzle of the character described a body portion having a bore of substantially uniform diameter therein and having a minute dis- Y charge orifice at one end of said body portion, a stop shoulder in said bore spaced from-said orifice, a guide member slidably mounted in said bore, a pin-like member carried by said guide member, said pin-like member projecting substantially centrally from said guide member and slidably tting in said orice, a piston slidably mounted in said bore, elongated means of reduced diameter connecting said guide member and said piston to provide an elongated chamber in said bore between said guide member and piston, sealing means carried by said pistonand having wiping engagement with the wall of said bore, means for projecting said pin-like member into said orice to clear the lsame of obstruc-.

tions, means for admitting fluid to said bore between said piston and guide member for movhaving a concavely curved end Wallin which.

said orifice is located and said body portion having a flat end face through which said orice extends to provide an orice free of all obstructions externally thereof, a pin-like member in said bore adapted to enter said orice to clear the same of obstructions, means for mounting said pin-like member for guided movement in said bore, means for projecting said pin-like member into said orifice, means limiting the g() projection of said pin-like member into said orice to space said mounting means from said concave wall adjacent said orice and uid pressure operated means for moving said pin-like member against the action of said projecting 25 means.

HARRY H. HOWELL. 

